Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a display apparatus which facilitates minimized thickness by innovatively removing a case and some portions of a set cover, which have been regarded as indispensable structures for the display apparatus, and simultaneously facilitates good aesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatus by a novel design. The display apparatus comprises a set cover exposed externally to have a storage space; a support cover placed onto the storage space and formed to have a supporting space; a backlight unit received in the supporting space; a guide frame connected to the support cover while being supported by the support cover, and received in the storage space; and a liquid crystal display panel placed onto the guide frame, wherein the liquid crystal display panel displays images by adjusting transmittance of light emitted from the backlight unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/982,496 filed on Dec. 30, 2010, now allowed, which claims the benefitof Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0039024 filed on Apr. 27, 2010,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and moreparticularly, to a display apparatus which facilitates minimizedthickness by innovatively removing a case and some portions of a setcover, which have been regarded as indispensable structures for thedisplay apparatus, and simultaneously facilitates to realize goodaesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatus by a noveldesign.

Discussion of the Related Art

Recently, various flat-type display devices have been actively developedand researched to decrease heavy weight and large volume whichcorrespond to disadvantages of Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), for example,Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, Plasma Display Panels (PDP), FieldEmission Display (FED) devices, Light Emitting Display (LED) devices,etc. Especially, among these devices, the LCD device has attracted greatattention owing to its advantages such as ability to be mass produced,simple driving means, and high picture quality.

In addition to the technical aspects of the flat-type display apparatus,there is an increasing demand for research and development of flat-typedisplay apparatus design. This research includes steady efforts towardminimization in thickness of the display apparatus (for example,slimness) while simultaneously increasing satisfactory designs which arecapable of arousing customer's interest.

However, the existing design for the slimness and good aestheticexterior appearance of the display apparatus has been developed bychanging a structure of components included in the display apparatusunder the circumstances that all components are used for the displayapparatus. Thus, it limits the slimness of the display apparatus and thedevelopment of the new design.

For instance, a related art LCD device necessarily uses lower and uppercases to receive a liquid crystal display unit and a backlight unittherein. In addition, front and rear set covers are additionally used inthe related art LCD device to manufacture notebook computers, monitors,mobile devices, or televisions. As the lower and upper cases and thefront and rear set covers for the manufactured device are inevitablyused in the display device, these limit the slimness of the displaydevice and the development of the new design. Especially, the upperedges of the liquid crystal display panel are covered with the uppercase and front set cover, whereby the liquid crystal display device isincreased in its thickness. Also, the edge width of the liquid crystaldisplay device is increased so that step coverage of the edge isincreased, which might be an obstruction to the development ofinnovative design.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a display apparatusthat substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations anddisadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a display apparatuswhich minimize thickness by innovatively removing a case and someportions of a set cover, which have been regarded as indispensablestructures for the display apparatus, and simultaneously facilitates torealize a good aesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatus bya novel design.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and in part will become apparentto those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned from practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there isprovided a display apparatus comprising: a set cover exposed to theexternal to have a storage space; a support cover placed onto thestorage space and formed to have a supporting space; a backlight unitreceived in the supporting space; a guide frame connected to the supportcover while being supported by the support cover, and received in thestorage space; and a liquid crystal display panel placed onto the guideframe, wherein the liquid crystal display panel displays images byadjusting transmittance of light emitted from the backlight unit.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a display apparatus used for a notebook computeraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view along A-A of FIG. 1, which illustrates adisplay apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of first and secondcoupling members shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a display apparatus according to a second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the second embodiment of the sealing member shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of the sealing membershown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of the sealing membershown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 illustrates a display apparatus according to the third embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a separation between a guide frame and a set coverthrough the use of separation hole inserted into a separation hole shownin FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a display apparatus according to a fourth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a display apparatus according to a fifth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the sealing membershown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a display apparatus according to a sixth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a display apparatus used for a monitor or televisionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a display apparatus according to a seventh exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of first and secondcoupling members shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates a display apparatus according to a eighth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a display apparatus according to a ninth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a display apparatus according to a tenth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a display apparatus according to an eleventhexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to the present invention willbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a display apparatus used for a notebook computeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a crosssection view along A-A of FIG. 1, which illustrates a display apparatusaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display apparatus 10 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 100, a guideframe 200, and a display unit 300.

The set cover 100 may be formed in a rectangular-shaped frame. At thistime, the set cover 100 may be provided with a set plate and a setsidewall 102, wherein the set sidewall 102 may be vertically curved fromthe set plate so as to form a predetermined space. The set cover 100 maysupport the guide frame 200 and the display unit 300, and simultaneouslycovers the lateral side of the guide frame 200. In this case, the setcover 100 may be formed of a plastic material or metal material. For theaesthetic exterior appearance, the set cover 100 may be formed of themetal material, preferably.

The guide frame 200, which may be received in the predetermined space ofthe set cover 100, may support the display unit 300. For this, the guideframe 200 may comprise a guide sidewall 202, a supporter 204, a setsidewall insertion groove 206, and a plurality of first coupling members210.

The guide sidewall 202 may be vertically formed to cover the lateralside of the display unit 300. In this case, the upper surface of theguide sidewall 202 may be exposed to the external so as to cover thelateral side of the display unit 300, whereby the upper surface of theguide sidewall 202 may form the frontal edge of the display unit 300.

The supporter 204 may protrude from the guide sidewall 202 while beingin opposite to the set sidewall 102, to thereby support the display unit300. For this, the supporter 204 may comprise a first part 204 a, acurved part 204 b, and a second part 204 c.

The first part 204 a may protrude from the guide sidewall 202 whilebeing in parallel to the set plate.

The curved part 204 b may be vertically curved from one end of the firstpart 204 a toward the set plate.

The second part 204 c may be curved from one end of the curved part 204b while being in parallel to the set plate and being placed onto the setplate.

The set sidewall insertion groove 206 may be hollowly formed in thelower outer surface of the guide sidewall 202 except the upper outersurface of the guide sidewall 202. The set sidewall insertion groove 206may be covered by the set sidewall 102 inserted thereinto.

The plurality of first coupling members 210 may be formed in the setsidewall insertion groove 206, and may then connected to the setsidewall 102 of the set cover 100. For this, the plurality of firstcoupling members 210 may protrude from the outer surface of the setsidewall insertion groove 206, wherein each of the plural first couplingmembers 210 may include a stepped surface, and a slant surface which isinclined by a predetermined angle.

In the inner surface of the set sidewall 102, a plurality of secondcoupling members 110 may be formed to be respectively coupled to theplurality of first coupling members 210. Each of the plural secondcoupling members 110 may be formed in a groove shape to be coupled tothe slant surface of each of the plural first coupling members 210, tothereby prevent a separation of the guide frame 200.

Each of the plural first coupling members 210 may be inserted into andcoupled to each of the plural second coupling members 110, whereby theset cover 100 and the guide frame 200 are coupled to each other.

Meanwhile, the guide frame 200 may further comprise an empty room 208between the curved part 204 b of the supporter 204 and the guidesidewall 202. An antenna or antenna wire used for the notebook computermay be arranged in the empty room 208.

A color of the guide frame 200 may be the same as a color displayed fora non-driving mode of the display unit 300. For example, it ispreferable that the guide frame 200 have a black color.

The display unit 300 may comprise a backlight unit 310 and a liquidcrystal display panel 320.

The backlight unit 310, which may be placed onto the second part 204 cof the guide frame 200, emits light to the rear surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 320. At this time, the rear side of the backlightunit 310 may be supported by the second part 204 c of the guide frame200, and the lateral side of the backlight unit 310 may be covered bythe curved part 204 b of the guide frame 200. The backlight unit 310 maycomprise a light guide plate 312, a reflective sheet 314, and an opticalmember 316.

The light guide plate 312 may be formed in a flat type to have alight-incidence surface, whereby the light guide plate 312 guides thelight, which is emitted from a light source (not shown) and is thenincident on the light-incidence surface, toward the liquid crystaldisplay panel 320. At this time, the light source (not shown) may beformed to include a fluorescent lamp or light emitting diode.

The reflective sheet 314 may be arranged on the rear surface of thelight guide plate 312, and is also placed onto the second part 204 c ofthe guide frame 200. The reflective sheet 314 reflects the light fromthe light guide plate 312 toward the liquid crystal display panel 320.

The optical member 316, which may be provided on the light guide plate312, improves a luminance property of the light advancing toward theliquid crystal display panel 320 from the light guide plate 312. Forthis, the optical member 316 may comprise at least two sheets of a lowerdiffusion sheet, a lower prism sheet, an upper prism sheet, and an upperdiffusion sheet.

The lower diffusion sheet, which is arranged on the light guide plate312, diffuses the light incident from the light guide plate 312, andapplies the diffused light to the lower prism sheet.

The lower prism sheet, which may be arranged on the lower diffusionsheet, concentrates the light incident from the lower diffusion sheetinto a first direction, and applies the concentrated light to the upperprism sheet. At this time, the first direction may correspond to a longor short side direction of the light guide plate 312.

The upper prism sheet, which may be arranged on the lower prism sheet,concentrates the light incident from the lower prism sheet into a seconddirection, and applies the concentrated light to the upper diffusionsheet. At this time, the second direction may be perpendicular to thefirst direction. According to the structure of the backlight unit 310,the upper prism sheet may be omitted. Also, the lower and upper prismsheets may be substituted by one prism sheet including first and secondlight-concentrating patterns to concentrate the light from the lowerdiffusion sheet into the first and second directions. Furthermore, thefirst and second light-concentrating patterns may be formed on the lowerdiffusion sheet. If the first and second light-concentrating patternsare formed on the lower diffusion sheet, the lower and upper prismsheets may be omitted.

The upper diffusion sheet, which may be arranged on the upper prismsheet, diffuses the light incident from the upper prism sheet, andapplies the diffused light to the liquid crystal display panel 320. Atthis time, if the upper prism sheet is omitted, the upper diffusionsheet may be arranged on the lower prism sheet to diffuse the lightincident from the lower prism sheet and to apply the diffused light tothe liquid crystal display panel 320. Also, if both the lower and upperprism sheets are omitted, the upper diffusion sheet may diffuse thelight incident from the lower diffusion sheet with the first and secondlight-concentrating patterns, and apply the diffused light to the liquidcrystal display panel 320.

The liquid crystal display panel 320 is placed onto the first part 204 aof the guide frame 200, and is arranged on the backlight unit 310,whereby the liquid crystal display panel 320 adjusts a transmittance ofthe light emitted from the backlight unit 310, to thereby display apredetermined image. At this time, the rear side of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 320 may placed onto the first part 204 a of the guideframe 200, and the lateral side of the liquid crystal display panel 320may be covered by the guide sidewall 202 of the guide frame 200.

The liquid crystal display panel 320 may be placed onto the first part204 a of the guide frame 200 through the use of adhesive member 250. Atthis time, the adhesive member 250 may be a double-sided tape. Theadhesive member 250 may be adhered onto the edge of the rear surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel 320 or onto the first part 204 a of theguide frame 200, whereby the liquid crystal display panel 320 and theguide frame 200 are stably connected to each other.

The liquid crystal display panel 320 may comprise a lower substrate 322,an upper substrate 324, a lower polarizing plate 326, and an upperpolarizing plate 328.

The lower substrate 322 may include a plurality of pixels (not shown) inevery regions formed by crossing a plurality of gate lines (not shown)and data lines (not shown). Each pixel may comprise a thin filmtransistor (not shown) connected to the gate and data lines; a pixelelectrode connected to the thin film transistor; and a common electrodeformed adjacent to the pixel electrode, wherein a common voltage isapplied to the common electrode. The common electrode may be formed onthe upper substrate 324 according to a driving mode of liquid crystallayer. The lower substrate 322 may form an electric field correspondingto a differential voltage between the common voltage and data voltageapplied to each pixel, to thereby adjust the light transmittance ofliquid crystal layer.

The aforementioned adhesive member 250 may be adhered onto the edge ofthe lower substrate 322 or the first part 204 a, whereby the lowersubstrate 322 and the guide frame 322 may be connected to each other.

The upper substrate 324 may be formed to have a color filtercorresponding to each pixel of the lower substrate 322. The lower andupper substrates 322 and 324 may be bonded to each other with the liquidcrystal layer interposed therebetween. At this time, the commonelectrode supplied with the common voltage may be formed on the uppersubstrate 324 according to the driving mode of the liquid crystal layer.The incident light passing through the liquid crystal layer may befiltered through the color filter of the upper substrate 324 so that thepredetermined colored light is emitted to the external. Accordingly, thepredetermined colored image may be displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 320.

Meanwhile, a detailed structure of the lower and upper substrates 322and 324 may vary according to the driving mode of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 320, for example, Twisted Nematic (TN) mode, VerticalAlignment (VA) mode, In-Plane Switching (IPS) mode, Fringe FieldSwitching (FFS) mode, and etc., which are generally known to thoseskilled in the art.

The lower polarizing plate 326 may be formed on the rear surface of thelower substrate 322, wherein the lower polarizing plate 326 polarizesthe light incident from the backlight unit 310, and applies thepolarized light to the lower substrate 322. While being overlapped withthe optical member 316 of the backlight unit 310, the lower polarizingplate 326 may be adhered onto the remaining regions except the edge ofthe rear surface of the lower substrate 322 with the aforementionedadhesive member 250 adhered thereonto.

The upper polarizing plate 328 may be formed on the entire surface ofthe upper substrate 324, whereby the light incident through the uppersubstrate 324 is polarized by the upper polarizing plate 328, and thepolarized light is emitted to the external.

The aforementioned display unit 300 may be formed of a light emittingdisplay unit including a light emitting display panel with an organiclight emitting device, instead of the liquid crystal display unitincluding the backlight unit 310 and the liquid crystal display panel320. In this case, the guide frame 200 may comprise the first part 204 awhich supports the guide sidewall 202 covering the lateral surface ofthe light emitting display unit and the rear surface of the lightemitting display unit; the set sidewall insertion groove 206 which isformed in the guide sidewall 202, wherein the set sidewall 102 of theset cover 100 may be inserted into the set sidewall insertion groove206; and the plurality of first coupling members 210 which may be formedin the set sidewall insertion groove 206, wherein the plurality of firstcoupling members 210 are respectively coupled to the plurality of secondcoupling members 110.

In the display apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodimentof the present invention, the plurality of first coupling members 210 inthe protrusion type may be formed along the guide sidewall 202, and theplurality of second coupling members 110 in the groove type may beformed along the set sidewall 102, but not necessarily. The first andsecond coupling members 210 and 110 may be formed in various shapesappropriate for their coupling. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, theplurality of first coupling members 210 may be formed as a groove orhole along the guide sidewall 202; and the plurality of second couplingmembers 110 may be formed as a protrusion along the set sidewall 102.

The display apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention may support the display unit 300 through the useof guide frame 200, and connects the guide frame 200 and the set cover100 to each other, so that it is possible to decrease a total thickness(T) of the device by omitting lower and upper cases, and a front coverof product, which have been essentially used for the related art displayapparatus.

In the display apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, the upper surface of the guide sidewall 202 may beexposed to the external so as to cover the lateral surface of thedisplay unit 300, whereby the upper surface of the guide sidewall 202forms the frontal edge of the display unit 300. Thus, there is norequirement for an additional structure for covering the upper edge ofthe display unit 300 and the lateral side of the guide frame 200, tothereby decrease the total thickness (T) of the display apparatus.

The display apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention may minimize the border of the display unit 300 byexposing only the liquid crystal display panel 320 and guide sidewall202 to a user. Thus, the good aesthetic exterior appearance of thedisplay apparatus may be realized owing to the minimized border of thedisplay unit 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display apparatus according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the display apparatus 10 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 100, a guideframe 200, a display unit 300, and a sealing member 400. Except thesealing member 400, the display apparatus 10 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention may be identical in structure to thedisplay apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby a detailed explanation for thesame parts will be omitted.

First, when manufacturing the display unit 300, that is, liquid crystaldisplay panel 320 and guide frame 200, a gap may occur between a lateralside of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and a guide sidewall 202 ofthe guide frame 200 due to a manufacturing error. Accordingly, thesealing member 400 may seal the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the guide frame 200, and maythereby prevent foreign matters such as dust from coming into the insideof the display apparatus through the gap. At this time, a color of thesealing member 400 may be the same as a color of the guide frame 200,which allows good aesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatusby preventing a color difference between the sealing member 400 and theguide frame 200.

For this, the sealing member 400 according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention may be formed in a ring shape. The ring-shapedsealing member 400 may be inserted into the gap between the lateral sideof the liquid crystal display panel 320 and the guide frame 200, tothereby seal the gap. Thus, it is possible to prevent foreign matterssuch as dust from coming into the inside of the display apparatusthrough the gap.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sealing member 400 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention may be formed in a pin shapeincluding a semicircular head, and a head supporter for supporting thesemicircular head. At this time, the head supporter may be inserted intothe gap, and the head is overlapped with the edge of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 320 and the upper surface of the guide sidewall 202 so asto cover the gap. Accordingly, the sealing member 400 may seal the gapbetween the lateral side of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and theguide frame 200, to thereby prevent foreign matters such as dust fromcoming into the inside of the display apparatus through the gap.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing member 400 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention may comprise asemicircular head which covers the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the guide sidewall 202 of the guideframe 200; and a head supporter which may be formed as one body with theupper inner portion of the guide sidewall 202 so as to support the head.In this case, the sealing member 400 may be formed simultaneously withthe guide frame 200. That is, the sealing member 400 and the guide frame200 may be formed by a double injection molding method. Accordingly, thesealing member 400 may seal the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the guide sidewall 202, to therebyprevent foreign matters such as dust from coming into the inside of thedisplay apparatus through the gap.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sealing member 400 according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention may be formed in a film type whichis adhered to the upper edge of the liquid crystal display panel 320 andsimultaneously to the partial portion of the upper surface of the guideframe 200, to thereby seal the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the guide sidewall 202 of the guideframe 200. In this case, the film-type sealing member 400 may have 0.2tthickness, but not necessarily. The thickness of the sealing member 400may be determined within a range to minimize step coverage with theliquid crystal display panel 320, which enables the good aestheticexterior appearance of the display apparatus.

Meanwhile, if the film-type sealing member 400 is adhered to the entireupper surface of the guide sidewall 202, the sealing member 400 may bepeeled off by a user's contact. In this respect, the sealing member 400may be adhered to the partial portion of the upper surface of the guidesidewall 202. For this, a sealing member adhesion groove 203 may beformed in the upper surface of the guide sidewall 202, and the sealingmember 400 may be adhered to the sealing member adhesion groove 203.Accordingly, the film-type sealing member 400 may be adhered to theliquid crystal display panel 320, that is, between the upper edge ofupper polarizing plate and the sealing member adhesion groove 203 of theguide frame 200, to thereby seal the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the guide sidewall 202. Thus, it ispossible to prevent foreign matters such as dust from coming into theinside of the display apparatus through the gap.

FIG. 8 illustrates a display apparatus according to the third exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display apparatus 10 according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 100, a guideframe 200, a display unit 300, and a plurality of separation holes 120.Except the separation holes 120, the display apparatus according to thethird embodiment of the present invention may be identical in structureto the display apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby a detailed explanationfor the same parts will be omitted.

The plurality of separation holes 120 may be provided adjacent to aplurality of second coupling members 110 in a set sidewall 102 of theset cover 100 by penetrating a predetermined portion of the set sidewall102. When separating the guide frame 200 from the set cover 100 for arework of the display apparatus 10, the separation hole 120 may enablean easy separation between the guide frame 200 and the set cover 100.Meanwhile, since the plurality of separation holes 120 are exposed atthe lateral side of the manufactured display apparatus, each of theplural separation holes 120 may be sealed by an additionally-providedseparable sealing cap (not shown) so as to realize good aestheticexterior appearance of the display apparatus.

In more detail, when separating the guide frame 200 from the set cover100 for the rework of the display apparatus 100, a worker may firstseparate the sealing cap from the separation hole 120, as shown in FIG.9, and then may insert an additional separation pin member 122 into theseparation hole 120, whereby the guide sidewall 202 of the guide frame200 may be forcibly pushed so that the first coupling member 210 isseparated from the second coupling member 110. Accordingly, the workermay separate the guide frame 200 from the set cover 100 with ease.

For the aforementioned explanation, the separation hole 120 may beformed in the set sidewall 102 while being adjacent to the plurality ofsecond coupling members 110, but not necessarily. Instead, theseparation hole 120 may penetrate through the plurality of secondcoupling members 110 of the groove type. At this time, the separationhole 120 may be formed in the plurality of second coupling members 110and exposed externally and may be sealed by the aforementioned sealingcap.

The display apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention may additionally comprise any one among the sealingmembers 400 according to the first to fourth exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention shown in FIGS. 4 to 7.

The display apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention may provide the same effect as those of theaforementioned first and second embodiments of the present invention,and allows the separation between the guide frame 200 and the set cover100 with ease through the use of separation pin member 122 inserted intothe separation hole 120.

FIG. 10 illustrates a display apparatus according to the fourthexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display apparatus 10 according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 100, a guideframe 200, and a display unit 300. Except the set cover 100 and theguide frame 200, the display apparatus according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention may be identical in structure to thedisplay apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby a detailed explanation for thesame parts will be omitted.

The set cover 100 may comprise a set plate, a set sidewall 102, abending part 103, and an inner sidewall 104.

The set plate supports the guide frame 200 onto which the display unit300 is placed.

The set sidewall 102 may be vertically bent from the set plate, tothereby provide a predetermined space for receiving the guide frame 200therein.

The bending part 103 with a predetermined curvature may be bent from oneend of the set sidewall 102 toward the display unit 300. The bendingpart 103 may be exposed to the external so as to cover the lateral sideof the display unit 300, whereby the bending part 103 may form thefrontal edge of the display unit 300.

The inner sidewall 104 may be vertically extended from one end of thebending part 103 while being in parallel to the set sidewall 102, andmay then connect to the guide frame 200.

The guide frame 200 may be connected to the inner sidewall 104 of theset cover 100, so that the guide frame 200 supports the display unit 300received inside the set cover 100. At this time, a color of the guideframe 200 may be the same as a color displayed for a non-driving mode ofthe display unit 300. For example, it is preferable that the guide frame200 have a black color. For this, the guide frame 200 may comprise aguide sidewall 222, a supporter 204, and a first coupling member 220.

The guide sidewall 222 may be formed in parallel to the set sidewall102, to thereby cover some parts of the lateral side of the display unit300.

The supporter 204 may protrude from the guide sidewall 222 while beingin an opposite direction to the set sidewall 102, to thereby support thedisplay unit 300. For this, the supporter 204 comprises a first part 204a, a curved part 204 b, and a second part 204 c, which may be identicalto those of the first embodiment of the present invention, whereby adetailed explanation for structures of the first part 204 a, curved part204 b, and second part 204 c will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the guide frame 200 may further comprise an empty room 208between the guide sidewall 222 and the curved part 204 b. An antenna orantenna wire used for a notebook computer, and a power supply cable ofthe backlight unit 310 may be arranged in the empty room 208.

The plurality of first coupling members 220 may be formed in the guidesidewall 222, and are connected to the inner sidewall 104 of the setcover 100. For this, the plurality of first coupling members 220 mayprotrude from the outer surface of the guide sidewall 222, wherein eachof the plurality of first coupling members 220 include a steppedsurface, and a slant surface which is inclined by a predetermined angle.Accordingly, as the stepped surface of each of the plurality of firstcoupling members 220 is constrained by a lower end of the inner sidewall104, the set cover 100 and the guide frame 200 may be connected to eachother. At this time, the inner sidewall 104 may be defined as the secondcoupling member connected to the first coupling member 220.

In the display apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention, the bending part 103 in the set cover 100 may beconnected to the guide frame 200, and the lateral side of the displayunit 300 may be covered by the bending part 103, to thereby decrease atotal thickness of the display apparatus, and to realize good aestheticexterior appearance through the bending part 103.

FIG. 11 illustrates a display apparatus according to the fifth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the display apparatus 10 according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 100, a guideframe 200, a display unit 300, and a sealing member 410. Except thesealing member 410, the display apparatus 10 according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention may be identical in structure to thedisplay apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 10, whereby a detailed explanation for the sameparts will be omitted.

The sealing member 410 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention may be formed in a ring shape which is inserted into a gapbetween a lateral side of a liquid crystal display panel 320 and abending part 103 so as to seal the gap. This may be identical to thesealing member 400 of the first embodiment in the aforementioned displayapparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, the sealing member 410 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention may be formed in a pin shape whichmay be inserted into the gap between the lateral side of the liquidcrystal display panel 320 and the bending part 103 so as to seal thegap. This may be identical to the sealing member 400 of the secondembodiment in the aforementioned display apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention. That is, the pin-shapedsealing member 410 may comprise a semicircular head, and a headsupporter for supporting the semicircular head.

The display apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention may seal the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the bending part 103 through theuse of ring-shaped or pin-shaped sealing member 410, so that it may bepossible to prevent foreign matters such as dust from coming into theinside of the display apparatus through the gap. This may enable toprovide the same effects as those of the aforementioned displayapparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a display apparatus according to the sixth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the display apparatus 10 according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 100, a guideframe 200, a display unit 300, and an edge frame 500. Except the guideframe 200 and edge frame 500, the display apparatus 10 according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention may be identical to thedisplay apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 10, whereby a detailed explanation for the samepart will be omitted.

The guide frame 200, which may be received inside the set cover 100,supports the display unit 300. At this time, a color of the guide frame200 may be the same as a color displayed for a non-driving mode of thedisplay unit 300. For example, it is preferable that the guide frame 200have a black color.

The guide frame 200 may comprise a guide sidewall 222, a supporter 204,and a first coupling member 230.

The guide sidewall 222, which may be formed in parallel to a setsidewall 102 of the set cover 100, covers the lateral side of thedisplay unit 300. At this time, the guide sidewall 222 may be providedat a predetermined interval from a bending part 103.

The supporter 204 protruding from the guide sidewall 222 may be formedin opposite to the set sidewall 102, to thereby support the display unit300. For this, the supporter 204 may comprise a first part 204 a, acurved part 204 b, and a second part 204 c, which may be identical tothose of the first embodiment of the present invention, whereby adetailed explanation for structures of the first part 204 a, curved part204 b, and second part 204 c will be omitted.

The first coupling member 230 may be hollowly formed to have a steppedsurface in the outer lower surface of the guide sidewall 222, and may beconnected to the edge frame 500.

Meanwhile, the guide frame 200 may further comprise an empty room 208between the guide sidewall 222 and the curved part 204 b. An antenna orantenna wire used for a notebook computer, and a power supply cable ofthe backlight unit 310 may be arranged in the empty room 208.

The guide frame 200 may be connected to the set cover 100 through theuse of adhesive member (for example, double-sided tape, not shown)formed between the second part 204 c and the set plate of the set cover100.

The edge frame 500 may be formed in shape “∩” to be connected to theguide frame 200. The ∩-shaped edge frame 500 may be inserted between thelateral side of the display unit 300 and the inner sidewall 104 of theset cover 100, and simultaneously cover the bending part 103 of the setcover 100 and the outer side of the set sidewall 102, whereby the edgeframe 500 forms the frontal edge of the display unit 300. For this, theedge frame 500 may comprise a front part 502, an inner protrusion 504,an outer protrusion 506, and a plurality of second coupling members 508.

The front part 502, which may be arranged to be in contact with thelateral side of the display unit 300, may cover the space between thelateral side of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and the bendingpart 103, and also may cover the entire sides of the bending part 103,to thereby form the frontal edge of the display unit 300.

The inner protrusion 504, which may vertically protrude from one end ofthe front part 502, may be inserted into the space between the lateralside of the display unit 300 and the inner sidewall 104 of the set cover100, to thereby seal the space between the lateral side of the displayunit 300 and the bending part 103.

The outer protrusion 506, which may vertically protrude from the otherend of the front part 502, may cover the outer sides of the set sidewall102.

The set sidewall 102, bending part 103, and inner sidewall 104 of theset cover 100 may be inserted into the ∩-shaped space prepared betweenthe inner protrusion 504 and the outer protrusion 506.

The plurality of second coupling members 508 may be provided at fixedintervals, wherein the plurality of second coupling members 508 mayprotrude from the outer surface of the inner protrusion 504 toward theguide frame 200. Each of the plural second coupling members 508 mayinclude a slant portion which is provided for a smooth connection to theguide frame 200; and a stepped portion which is coupled to the steppedsurface of frame connection groove 230 in the guide frame 200.

The display apparatus 10 according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention may cover the structures provided at the lateral sideof the display unit 300 through the use of edge frame 500 connected tothe guide frame 200, to thereby prevent the foreign matters from cominginto the inside of the display apparatus. This may enable to provide thesame effects as those of the aforementioned display apparatus accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a display apparatus used for a monitor andtelevision according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 15 is a cross section view along B-B of FIG. 14, whichillustrates a display apparatus according to the seventh exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display apparatus 20 according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 600, asupport cover 700, a guide frame 800, and a display unit 900.

The set cover 600 may be formed in a rectangular-shaped frame typeincluding a set plate and a set sidewall 602, wherein the set sidewall602 may be vertically curved from the set plate so as to provide apredetermined space. The set cover 600 may support the guide frame 800and the display unit 900, and simultaneously cover the lateral side ofthe guide frame 800. In this case, the set cover 600 may be formed of aplastic material or metal material. For good aesthetic exteriorappearance, the set cover 600 may preferably be formed of metalmaterial.

The support cover 700 may be placed onto the set plate of the set cover600, and the support cover 700 supports the guide frame 800 and thedisplay unit 900. For this, the support cover 700 may comprise a supportplate which is placed onto the set plate of the set cover 600; and asupport sidewall which may be vertically curved from the support plate.Preferably, the support cover 700 may be formed of the metal material soas to smoothly dissipate heat generated in the display unit 900. Thesupport cover 700 may be connected to the set cover 600 through the useof an adhesive member (for example, double-sided tape) or couplingmember (for example, screw). Preferably, the support cover 700 may beconnected to the set cover 600 through the use of a coupling member.

The guide frame 800, which may be placed on the support sidewall of thesupport cover 700, supports the display unit 900. Also, the guide frame800 may be connected to the set cover 600. For this, the guide frame 800may be formed in a rectangular band, which comprises a guide sidewall802, a supporter 804, and a plurality of first coupling members 810.

The guide sidewall 802 facing toward the set sidewall 602 may be formedin parallel to the set sidewall 602, and the guide sidewall 802 may beinserted between the support sidewall of the support cover 700 and theset sidewall 602.

The supporter 804 may be curved from an upper end of the guide sidewall802 so that the supporter 804 may be placed onto the support sidewall ofthe support cover 700, to thereby support the display unit 900.

The plurality of first coupling members 810 may be formed in the guidesidewall 802, and may be connected to the set sidewall 602 of the setcover 600. For this, the plurality of first coupling members 810 mayprotrude from the outer surface of the guide sidewall 802, wherein eachof the plural first coupling members 810 may include a stepped surface,and a slant surface which may extend from the stepped surface whilebeing inclined by a predetermined angle.

In the inner surface of the set sidewall 602, a plurality of secondcoupling members 610 may be formed to be respectively coupled to theplurality of first coupling members 810. Each of the plurality of secondcoupling members 610 may be formed in a groove shape and may be coupledto the slant surface of each of the plurality of first coupling members810, to thereby prevent a separation of the guide frame 600. Here, theaforementioned separation hole shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be formed inthe plurality of second coupling members 610, and the separation holemay be sealed by the sealing cap.

Each of the plurality of first coupling members 810 may be inserted intoand coupled to each of the second coupling members 610, whereby the setcover 600 and the guide frame 800 may be connected to each other.

As explained in the first embodiment of the present invention, thedisplay unit 900 may be formed of the liquid crystal display unitincluding the backlight unit 310 and the liquid crystal display panel320; or may be formed of the light-emitting display unit including thelight-emitting display panel, and their detailed explanations will beomitted.

If the display unit 900 corresponds to the liquid crystal display unit,the backlight unit 310 may be received in and supported by the supportcover 700; and the liquid crystal display panel 320 may be placed ontoand connected to the supporter 804 of the guide frame 800 through theuse of adhesive member 850 (for example, double-sided tape).

If the display unit 900 corresponds to the light-emitting display unit,the light-emitting display unit may comprise the light-emitting displaypanel without the backlight unit. Thus, the light-emitting display panelmay be placed onto and connected to the supporter 804 of the guide frame800 through the use of adhesive member 850 (for example, double-sidedtape). At this time, the support cover 700 may be formed in a flat platefor dissipation of the heat generated in the light-emitting displaypanel, or may be omitted.

In the display apparatus 20 according to the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention, the plurality of first coupling members 810 may beformed in the protrusion type along the guide sidewall 802, and theplurality of second coupling members 610 may be formed in the groovetype along the set sidewall 602, but not necessarily. The first andsecond coupling members 810 and 610 may be formed in various shapes fortheir coupling. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the plurality of firstcoupling members 810 may be formed as a groove or hole along the guidesidewall 802; and the plurality of second coupling members 610 may beformed as a protrusion along the set sidewall 602.

In the display apparatus 20 according to the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention, the display unit 900 may be supported by the guideframe 800, and the guide frame 800 and the set cover 600 may beconnected to each other. This may provide the same effects as those ofthe aforementioned display apparatus according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a display apparatus according to an eighth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, the display apparatus 20 according to the eighthembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 600, asupport cover 700, a guide frame 800, a display unit 900, and a sealingmember 1000. Except that the sealing member 1000 may be additionallyprovided, the display unit 20 according to the eighth embodiment of thepresent invention may be identical in structure to the display unitaccording to the seventh embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 15 or 16, whereby a detailed explanation for the same parts will beomitted.

The sealing member 1000 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention may be formed in a ring shape to be inserted into a gapbetween a lateral side of a liquid crystal display panel 320 and a setsidewall 602, to thereby seal the gap. This may be identical to thesealing member 400 of the first embodiment in the aforementioned displayapparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the same manner as the sealing member 400 shown in FIG. 5, thesealing member 1000 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention may be formed in a pin shape and may be inserted into the gapbetween the lateral side of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and theset sidewall 602 so as to seal the gap, wherein the pin-shaped sealingmember 1000 may comprise a semicircular head, and a head supporter forsupporting the semicircular head.

In the same manner as the sealing member 400 shown in FIG. 7, thesealing member 1000 according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention may be formed in a film type which may be adhered to the upperedge of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and simultaneously to thepartial portion of the upper surface of the set sidewall 602, to therebyseal the gap between the lateral side of the liquid crystal displaypanel 320 and the set sidewall 602.

Meanwhile, if the film-type sealing member 1000 is adhered to the entireupper surface of the set sidewall 602, the sealing member 1000 may bepeeled off by a user's contact. In this respect, the sealing member 1000may be adhered to the partial portion of the upper surface of the setsidewall 602. For this, a sealing member adhesion groove (not shown) maybe formed in the upper surface of the set sidewall 602, and the sealingmember 1000 may be adhered to the sealing member adhesion groove.Accordingly, the film-type sealing member 1000 may be adhered to theliquid crystal display panel 320, that is, between the upper edge ofupper polarizing plate and the sealing member adhesion groove of the setsidewall 602, to thereby seal the gap between the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 and the set sidewall 602.

FIG. 18 illustrates a display apparatus according to a ninth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, the display apparatus 20 according to the ninthembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 600, asupport cover 700, a guide frame 800, and a display unit 900. Except theset cover 600, the display apparatus 20 according to the ninthembodiment of the present invention may be identical in structure to thedisplay apparatus according to the seventh or eighth embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, whereby a detailedexplanation for the same parts will be omitted.

The set cover 600 may comprise a set plate, a set sidewall 602, abending part 603, and an inner sidewall 604.

The set plate may support the guide frame 800 and the display unit 900.

The set sidewall 602 may be vertically curved from the set plate so asto provide a predetermined space.

The bending part 603 with a predetermined curvature may be bent from oneend of the set sidewall 602 toward the display unit 900. The bendingpart 603 may be exposed externally so as to cover the lateral side ofthe display unit 900, whereby the bending part 603 forms the frontaledge of the display unit 900.

The inner sidewall 604 may be vertically extended from one end of thebending part 603 while being in parallel to the set sidewall 602, andmay then be connected to a first coupling member 810 of the guide frame800. That is, a stepped surface of the first coupling member 810 in theguide frame 800 may be connected to a lower end of the inner sidewall104 so that the set cover 600 and the guide frame 800 may be connectedto each other. Here, the inner sidewall 604 may be defined as a secondcoupling member connected to the first coupling member 810.

The display apparatus 20 according to the ninth embodiment of thepresent invention may further comprise the sealing member (not shown)for sealing the gap between the liquid crystal display panel 320 and theset sidewall 602. At this time, the sealing member may be formed in thering shape shown in FIG. 4; or may be formed in the pin shape shown inFIG. 5.

In the display apparatus 20 according to the ninth embodiment of thepresent invention, the inner sidewall 604 in the set sidewall 602 of theset cover 600 may be connected to the guide frame 800, and the frontaledge of the display unit 900 may be formed by the bending part 603, tothereby decrease a total thickness of the display apparatus, and torealize the good aesthetic exterior appearance of the display apparatus.

FIG. 19 illustrates a display apparatus according to a tenth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, the display apparatus 20 according to the tenthembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 600, asupport cover 700, a guide frame 800, a display unit 900, and an edgeframe 1100. Except the guide frame 800 and edge frame 1100, the displayapparatus 20 according to the tenth embodiment of the present inventionmay be identical in structure to the display apparatus according to theninth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 18, whereby adetailed explanation for the same parts will be omitted. However, whilethe display apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention may have the structure for connecting the set cover 600 andthe guide frame 800 to each other, the display apparatus according tothe tenth embodiment of the present invention may have the structure forconnecting the guide frame 800 and the edge frame 1100 to each other.

The guide frame 800 may support the display unit 900 while being placedonto a support sidewall of the support cover 700; and the guide frame800 may be connected to the edge frame 1100. For this, the guide frame800 may be formed in a rectangular band, which may comprise a guidesidewall 822, a supporter 824, and a first coupling member 830.

The guide sidewall 822 facing toward a set sidewall 602 of the set cover600 may be formed in parallel to the set sidewall 602, and the guidesidewall 822 may be inserted between the support sidewall of the supportcover 700 and an inner sidewall 604 of the set cover 600.

The supporter 824 may be curved from an upper end of the guide sidewall822 so that the supporter 824 may be placed onto the support sidewall ofthe support cover 700, to thereby support the display unit 900. That is,the supporter 824 may be connected to a rear surface of a liquid crystaldisplay panel 320 of the display unit 900 through the use of adhesivemember 850.

The first coupling member 830 may be hollowly formed to have a steppedsurface in the outer lower surface of the guide sidewall 822, and isconnected to the edge frame 1100.

The edge frame 1100 may be formed in shape “∩” to be connected to theguide frame 200, to thereby form the edge of the display unit 900. Forthis, the edge frame 1100 may comprise a front part 1102, an innerprotrusion 1104, an outer protrusion 1106, and a plurality of secondcoupling members 1108.

The front part 1102, which may be arranged to be in contact with thelateral side of the display unit 900, may cover the space between thelateral side of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and a bending part603, and also may cover the entire sides of the bending part 603, tothereby form the edge of the display unit 900.

The inner protrusion 1104, which may vertically protrude from one end ofthe front part 1102, may be inserted into the space between the lateralside of the liquid crystal display panel 320 and the inner sidewall 604of the set cover 600, to thereby seal the space between the lateral sideof the liquid crystal display panel 320 and the bending part 603.

The outer protrusion 1106, which may vertically protrude from the otherend of the front part 1102, may cover the outer sides of the setsidewall 602.

The set sidewall 602, bending part 603, and inner sidewall 604 may beinserted into the ∩-shaped space prepared between the inner protrusion1104 and the outer protrusion 1106.

The plurality of second coupling members 1108 may be provided at fixedintervals, wherein the plurality of second coupling members 1108 mayprotrude from the outer surface of the inner protrusion 1104 toward theguide frame 800. Each of the plural second coupling members 1108 mayinclude a slant portion which is provided for a smooth connection to theguide frame 800; and a stepped portion which may be coupled to thestepped surface of the first coupling member 830 in the guide frame 800.

In the display apparatus 20 according to the tenth embodiment of thepresent invention, the structures provided at the lateral side of theliquid crystal display panel 320 may be covered by the edge frame 1100connected to the guide frame 800, to thereby prevent the foreign mattersfrom coming into the inside of the display apparatus. This provides thesame effects as those of the aforementioned display apparatus accordingto the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a display apparatus according to an eleventhexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, the display apparatus 20 according to the eleventhembodiment of the present invention may include a set cover 600, asupport cover 700, a guide frame 800, and a display unit 900. Exceptthat the support cover 700 and the guide frame 80 may be connected toeach other, the display apparatus 20 according to the eleventhembodiment of the present invention may be identical in structure to thedisplay apparatus according to the seventh or eighth embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, whereby a detailedexplanation for the same parts will be omitted.

The support cover 700, which may be received in a set plate of the setcover 600, may support the guide frame 800 and the display unit 900. Forthis, the support cover 700 may comprise a support plate which may beplaced onto the set plate of the set cover 600; a support sidewall whichmay be vertically curved from the support plate; and a plurality ofsecond coupling members 710 which may be hollowly formed at fixedintervals along the support sidewall. Preferably, the support cover 700may be formed of the metal material so as to smoothly dissipate heatgenerated in the display unit 900. The support cover 700 may beconnected to the set plate of the set cover 600 through the use of anadhesive member (for example, double-sided tape) or a coupling member(for example, screw). Preferably, the support cover 700 is connected tothe set plate of the set cover 600 through the use of a coupling member.

The guide frame 800, which may be placed onto the support sidewall ofthe support cover 700, supports the display unit 900; and the guideframe 800 may be connected to the support sidewall of the support cover700. For this, the guide frame 800 may be formed in a rectangular band,which comprises a guide sidewall 802, a supporter 804, and a pluralityof first coupling members 830.

The guide sidewall 802 facing toward the set sidewall 602 may be formedin parallel to the set sidewall 602, and the guide sidewall 802 may beinserted between the support sidewall of the support cover 700 and theset sidewall 602.

The supporter 804 may be curved from an upper end of the guide sidewall802 so that the supporter 804 may be placed onto the support sidewall ofthe support cover 700, to thereby support the display unit 900.

The plurality of first coupling members 830 may be formed in the guidesidewall 802, and are connected to the second coupling member 710 of thesupport cover 700. For this, the plurality of first coupling members 830may protrude from the outer surface of the guide sidewall 802, whereineach of the plural first coupling members 830 may include a steppedsurface, and a slant surface which may extend from the stepped surfacewhile being inclined by a predetermined angle.

According as each of the plural first coupling members 830 may beinserted into and coupled to each of the plural second coupling members710, the support cover 700 and the guide frame 800 may be connected toeach other.

In the display apparatus 20 according to the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention, the plurality of first coupling members 830 may beformed in the protrusion type along the guide sidewall 802, and theplurality of second coupling members 710 may be formed in the groovetype along the support sidewall, but not necessarily. The first andsecond coupling members 830 and 710 may be formed in various shapes fortheir coupling. For example, the plurality of first coupling members 810may be formed in the shape of groove or hole along the guide sidewall802; and the plurality of second coupling members 710 may be formed inthe shape of a protrusion along the support sidewall.

The display apparatus 20 according to the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention may further comprise the sealing member (not shown)for sealing a gap (not shown) between a lateral side of a liquid crystaldisplay panel 320 and the set sidewall 602. At this time, the sealingmember may be formed in the ring shape, pin shape, or film type shown inFIG. 4, 5, or 7.

The display apparatus 20 according to the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention may provide the same effects as those of the displayapparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

For the aforementioned explanation, the display apparatus 10 shown inFIGS. 2 to 13 may be used for a notebook computer, and the displayapparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 15 to 20 may be used for a monitor ortelevision, but not necessarily. That is, the display apparatus 10 shownin FIGS. 2 to 13 may be used for a monitor, television, or mobiledevice, and the display apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 15 to 20 may be usedfor a notebook computer or mobile device.

As mentioned above, the guide frame for supporting the display unit maybe connected to the set cover, so that it is possible to decrease thetotal thickness of the device by innovatively removing the related artlower and upper cases, and the front cover of the manufactured device.

In addition, the edge width of the display unit may be decreased and thestep coverage of the edge portion is minimized, to thereby manufacturethe display apparatus having the novel design with the improvedaesthetic exterior appearance.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a set coverexposed to an external side of the display apparatus and forming astorage space, the set cover including a set plate and a set sidewallcurved perpendicular to the set plate; a guide frame connected to theset cover and disposed in the storage space; and a display panel placedonto the guide frame, wherein a top edge of the display panel is exposedexternally to the display apparatus, wherein the guide frame comprises:a guide sidewall connected to the set cover; and a supporter protrudingfrom the guide sidewall, wherein the supporter supports the displaypanel, wherein the display apparatus further comprises a sealing membersealing a gap between the lateral side of the display panel and theguide sidewall of the guide frame, wherein an upper surface of the guidesidewall is exposed to the external side of the display apparatus tocover a lateral side of the display panel, and the upper surface of theguide sidewall forms an edge of the display panel, wherein an upperouter surface of the guide sidewall and an outer surface of the setsidewall are exposed to the external side of the display apparatus, andwherein the sealing member covers the gap between the lateral side ofthe display panel and the guide sidewall, the top edge of the displaypanel adjacent to the gap, and the upper surface of the guide sidewalladjacent to the gap.
 2. The display apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the guide frame further comprises a set sidewall insertiongroove hollowly formed in a lower outer surface of the guide sidewalland not in the upper outer surface of the guide sidewall, wherein theset sidewall is inserted into the set sidewall insertion groove of theguide frame.
 3. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theguide frame further comprises a first coupling member in the setsidewall insertion groove, and wherein the set cover further comprises asecond coupling member in the set sidewall, and wherein the secondcoupling member of the set sidewall is coupled to the first couplingmember of the guide frame.
 4. The display apparatus according to claim1, wherein the sealing member is inserted into the gap between thelateral side of the display panel and the guide sidewall of the guideframe.
 5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesealing member comprises: a head which covers the gap between thelateral side of the display panel and the upper surface of the guidesidewall, the top edge of the display panel adjacent to the gap, and theupper surface of the guide sidewall adjacent to the gap; and a headsupporter which is inserted into the gap between the lateral side of thedisplay panel and the guide sidewall of the guide frame.
 6. The displayapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises: ahead which covers the gap between the lateral side of the display paneland the upper surface of the guide sidewall, the top edge of the displaypanel adjacent to the gap, and the upper surface of the guide sidewalladjacent to the gap; and a head supporter which is formed as one bodywith the upper surface of the guide sidewall.
 7. The display apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the guide frame further comprises asealing member adhesion groove formed in the upper surface of the guidesidewall, and wherein the sealing member is adhered to the top edge ofthe display panel and the sealing member adhesion groove so as to coverthe gap between the lateral side of the display panel and the guidesidewall, the top edge of the display panel adjacent to the gap, and theupper surface of the guide sidewall adjacent to the gap.
 8. A displayapparatus comprising: a set cover exposed to an external side of thedisplay apparatus and forming a storage space, the set cover including aset plate and a set sidewall curved perpendicular to the set plate; aguide frame connected to the set cover and disposed in the storagespace; and a display panel placed onto the guide frame, wherein a topedge of the display panel is exposed externally to the displayapparatus, wherein the guide frame comprises: a guide sidewall connectedto the set cover; and a supporter protruding from the guide sidewall,wherein the supporter supports the display panel, wherein an uppersurface of the guide sidewall is exposed to the external side of thedisplay apparatus so as to cover a lateral side of the display panel,and the upper surface of the guide sidewall forms an edge of the displaypanel, and wherein an upper outer surface of the guide sidewall and anouter surface of the set sidewall are is exposed to the external side ofthe display apparatus, wherein the set sidewall comprises a separationhole configured to separate the first coupling member and the secondcoupling member from each other, and wherein the first coupling memberand the second coupling member are separated from each other as theguide sidewall moves.
 9. The display apparatus according to claim 8,further comprising a sealing cap sealing the separation hole.
 10. Thedisplay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporter comprises:a first part protruding from the guide sidewall in an opposite directionto the set sidewall; a curved part curved from the first part toward theset plate; and a second part curved from the curved part and placed ontothe set plate.
 11. The display apparatus according to claim 9, furthercomprising a backlight unit received in the storage space and placedonto the second part, wherein the display panel is placed on the firstpart, and wherein the display panel displays images by modulatingtransmittance of light emitted from the backlight unit.
 12. The displayapparatus according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the guide sidewalladjacent to the first coupling member is exposed to the external side ofthe display apparatus through the separation hole.
 13. The displayapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the guide frame furthercomprises a set sidewall insertion groove hollowly formed in a lowerouter surface of the guide sidewall and not in the upper outer surfaceof the guide sidewall, wherein the set sidewall is inserted into the setsidewall insertion groove of the guide frame.
 14. The display apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the guide frame further comprises a firstcoupling member in the set sidewall insertion groove, and wherein theset cover further comprises a second coupling member in the setsidewall, and wherein the second coupling member coupled to the firstcoupling member of the guide frame.
 15. The display apparatus accordingto claim 8, further comprising a sealing member sealing a gap betweenthe lateral side of the display panel and the guide sidewall of theguide frame.
 16. The display apparatus according to claim 15, whereinthe sealing member is formed in a ring shape.
 17. The display apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the sealing member is inserted into thegap between the lateral side of the display panel and the guide sidewallof the guide frame.
 18. The display apparatus according to claim 15,wherein the sealing member comprises a head which covers the gap betweenthe lateral side of the display panel and the upper surface of the guidesidewall; and a head supporter which is inserted into the gap betweenthe lateral side of the display panel and the guide sidewall of theguide frame.
 19. The display apparatus according to claim 15, whereinthe sealing member comprises a head which covers the gap between thelateral side of the display panel and the upper surface of the guidesidewall; and a head supporter which is formed as one body with theupper surface of the guide sidewall.
 20. The display apparatus accordingto claim 15, wherein the guide frame further comprises a sealing memberadhesion groove formed in the upper surface of the guide sidewall, andwherein the sealing member is adhered to the top edge of the displaypanel and the sealing member adhesion groove so as to cover the gapbetween the lateral side of the display panel and the guide sidewall ofthe guide frame.